Articulating NVGs (not our post)
As many are aware thereโs a lot of options regarding binocular NVGs nowadays. Most of these devices have very similar capabilities and you can generally build comparable night vision performance in most modern base models. A tube with X specifications will essentially perform the same in different housings. That said, there are certain features that differentiate bino NVGs, one of which is articulation: whether or not the individual pods are fixed to the bridge that joins them, or if they can be rotated/articulated independently.
โข Examples of modern Gen3 NVG Binos with fixed pods include: ANVIS9, Sentinel, MOD3 Bravo, RNVG.
โข Examples of modern Gen3 NVG Binos with articulating pods include: PVS-15, PVS-31A, DTNVG, DTNVS.
To some this individual pod articulation capability is an important value added feature, but in many cases this is at a considerable up-charge.
One reason why I personally like the articulation of the individual pods is that, when the NVG is in the up/stowed position, the articulating NVGs whose pods can be rotated down toward the helmet, impart less force on the neck. This is because the weight of the NVG sit closer to the headโs center of mass. The ActInBlack DTNVGs excel in this regard as it is able to fold flatter toward the helmet than any other articulating binocular NVG on the market. The DTNVGโs are also lighter (at 20.2 ounces) than any of the other commercially available (to civilians) bino NVGs which means it produces less neck strain (when properly balanced with a counterweight) over time than competing systems.
There are other benefits to articulating pods that may be discussed in future articles/posts. Aspects such as, when stowed and folded toward the helmet they pose less of a snag hazard and are generally lower profile. This makes them easier to get in and out of vehicles and structures when mounted but stowed flat to the helmet and not in use. The DTNVG and DTNVS (DTNVS not released as of this writing), also feature auto-shut-off of the individual tubes when the NVG is deployed but one tube is rotated up and out of eyeline. And if your eyes are extremely asymmetrical and sit on different vertical planes (see the last slide), DTNVGs are more likely going to be your โgo toโ device.
Whether or not individual tube articulation is important to the user is entirely dependent on budget and/or what you need from the device. Both the RNVG (fixed) and DTNVG (articulating) devices are equally popular among civilian/agency consumers and are both highly capable and exceptional devices for their intended end use. The RNVG (Ruggedized Night Vision Goggle) is arguably the more robust of the two units, though warranty claims for the DTNVG are extremely low as well. You really canโt go wrong with selecting either of these two devices as your Binocular NVG once you educate yourself of the pros/cons for either unit.
